U.S. Rep. Kelly Morrison Urges Trump Admin to Restore Grant Funding to Minnesota

February 18, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-03), a doctor for more than 20 years, led almost 80 of her colleagues in urging the Trump Administration to immediately restore public health grant funding to Minnesota, California, Colorado, and Illinois. This comes after the Administration terminated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grants that support core public health infrastructure and disease prevention. “Reports have indicated the Administration intends to cut tens of millions in public health funding to California, Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota,” wrote the Members. “These cuts will unnecessarily hamstring our state and local public health departments and community organizations, putting our constituents’ health at risk. We urge you to restore this funding immediately.” The funding cuts broadly target grants that support public health staffing, data modernization, and surveillance, as well as HIV and STI prevention programs, and health programs serving communities that have historically faced barriers to care. The Members warned these terminations would weaken states’ ability to detect, contain, and respond to outbreaks, which is especially reckless during the current active measles outbreak. They argued the cuts target the core infrastructure public health relies on. They also argued the move fits a broader pattern: President Trump has repeatedly threatened to withhold federal support from Democratic led states and cities in moments of crisis, from social services to disaster relief . Now, they write, the Administration is again pulling back congressionally approved funds for political reasons, not public health needs. The members demanded the following: A full list of terminated grants and grants under consideration to be cut in the coming weeks A rationale for why impacted grants are “inconsistent with agency priorities.” What the Department’s justification is for targeting grants only in California, Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota Whether the Department planning to rescind public health funding in additional states “It is within your power to end this cycle of alarming actions to erode public health,” the Members concluded . “We strongly urge you to reverse these terminations, as the real-world consequences for the health and safety of all Americans is at stake. Representatives Doris Matsui (CA-07), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Nanette Barragan (CA-44), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Sean Casten (IL-06), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), and Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) co-led the letter. Full text of the letter is available HERE . ### Issues : Health Care